I was reading an article in a recent issue of AARP Bulletin.

Hold that thought: If you were just thinking, Wait, she doesn’t look old enough to be an AARP member, you may have just proven my point.

According to the article, a special report on what the pandemic has taught us, the majority believe most people can’t be trusted, that we’ve lost faith in each other, in the kindness of humankind.

I just don’t understand how this can be so.

All around us, people are stepping up to help our food-insecure neighbors, to encourage our youth and their teachers to persevere in this unusual academic year and to spread kindness as often and in as many ways as possible.

Take, for example, Catasauqua School Resource Officers Jenna Potak and Pat Best, who learned of an elementary student in need of a morale boost. The pair visited the child’s home and offered just that. The three of them then took to the sidewalk and wrote some encouraging words for passersby.

Whitehall resident Toni Fillman heard about some families who wanted Easter photos but were without options due to the pandemic. So Fillman did the two things she’s known for: She found a solution to the problem, and she dressed up for it. She and her husband set up a holiday display on their lawn and welcomed people to have their photo taken with the Easter bunny.

Nationally, one of my favorite stories of kindness and goodwill comes out of Louisiana, where a group of Louisiana State University alumni helped an unassuming acquaintance. Members of Phi Gamma Delta learned a 74-year-old woman who worked as the fraternity cook during their college years was still working two jobs to pay her mortgage.

The men remembered her with such fondness, recalling she would often help them with rides to the grocery store and doctors’ appointments. They rallied, raising more than $50,000, and presented the gift on her birthday.

People can be trusted to do the right thing. People are compassionate.

I would be remiss in a conversation about kindness without mentioning Whitehall Township Mayor Mike Harakal, who ends every conversation with two words: Be well.

His words never fail to make me smile. And now, during this time of COVID-19, the words take on even more meaning.

The AARP special report poll ultimately offered a glimmer of hope. Many Americans, it said, believe the interpersonal trust issues can be remedied with community outreach and acts of kindness.

Now, that’s what I’m talking about.

As we work to heal ourselves and our neighbors both physically and mentally, let’s be mindful of the good in people and the good deeds they do.

And to all of you who think I don’t look a day over 49-1/2, thank you. You’re too kind.

Kelly Lutterschmidt

editor

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press